Great episode, both James Holland and Chris Party together in the studio. Certainly the dynamic Duo , need more of these experts together reviewing historic battles.
Excellent video! Excellent format! History proper at its best! As a WW2 buff I've learned much new insights about the Italean campaign I wasn't aware of. I always wondered why the allies didn't go island hopping and cutting Italy higher up. This shows why it played out the way it did. Kesselrings succes cost Gerry dearly. That the allies weren't early on in the belief that the Russians would indeed succesfully push through, is new to me. That the campaign was a whopping succes even though a lot of luck was involved is also new to me. Great show!
James Holland breezes over the first and 2nd attacks when Clark was in control and was happy to sacrifice the 34th and 36th by a frontal attack. He also simplifies the 4th attack, praising the Poles when, in reality, they were part of a much larger attack than Freyberg had and it was in fact the French colonial troops who made the first break view making it easier for the Poles. As Chris Parry noted it was the addition of the whole 8th army which made the difference. It was a much larger attack.
New subscriber here - referred by Times Radio Main Channel. A great treatment of the subject and I learned much. Perhaps you should consider carrying a link to James Hollands Book.
Really amazing and Italy is not a region I have been too interest in, before now. A friends uncle fought at Anzio and survived and he has his US Army uniform in his wardrobe, I'd have though a musuem but it ain't mine.
There was no soft underbelly of Europe. For as strong a personality as Churchill was, his logic and planning left results that have had people scratching their heads in both World Wars
Before Hamburger Hill, there was the battle of Monte Cassino. How many time the monastery base on the mountaneous Monte Casino got a ton of bombs/napalm'ed dropped on it and how many time the Allies struggled to went up and got pushed back down before they finally secured it, 4 month later¿?! That was pretty similar to how US struggled in Hill 937. I'd say again, Monte Cassino isn't only the Italian version of Stalingrad but also Hamburger Hill on steroid and still make the actual battle of hamburger hill in vietnam looks like a holiday jungle trek
The only body of water more important than the Mediterranean Sea to the allies was the Atlantic, the MTO also destroyed thousands of Luthtwaffe aircraft!
I truly question James Holland's knowledge on this. Tuker acquired a book on the structure of the monastry. He was very concerned about its defensive potential and he told Freyberg he wanted it destroyed. Tuker and Freyberg were in total agreement. Harold Alexander also agreed and although Clark said he disagreed after it failed, he approved it at the time. Second, Holland says it was best that the NZ Corp were out of the battle. In 'Monte Casino: A German View', the Germans describe them as the 'Magnificient NZ Corp'. I wonder who is right, James Holland or the Germans who faced them. The fact is, as Chris Parry states, this defensive line was only going to be broken with a full attack using forces from both the 5th and 8th armies. Also note, the French colonials were trained mountain specialists, and the French made a great suggestion how they could be used earlier on but Clark ignored the French. It was notable that, in the end, they made the first breakthrough (albeit within a full-scale attack).
My dad was born in a village about 7km outside of Cassino, and they had a clear view of the monastery into the valley - been there many times to appreciate it. He watched the monastery being bombed as an 11 year old, and always said as an adult that it was madness. It made the who place so much easier to defend for the Germans as they just dug in. Anzio always comes across as an opportunity missed by an overcautious American commander who was wary of advancing after the earlier landings in Salerno.
James Holland is a very good military historian, he walks the ground as well, in terrain, as in research. Maybe his co-host in "We have ways" is too political Big Al doesn't want to acknowledged South Africa involvement in Operation Lightfoot in 2nd Alamein. Unbelievable!
So the Benedictine monks built a monastery on the most strategic route to Rome, it gets destroyed every 100 years like clockwork, and they don’t understand? Professional victims if you ask me.
@@falcon642 no. Fighting Pz Divisions on the steppe is no joke. Most of those would soon be concentrated around Caen though- largest concentration of armour ever.
@@PalleRasmussen the german high command ALLWAYS regarded the eastern front as of highest priority therefore focusing almost any elite unit on that front together with over 80% of all resources.... so yes
Used to enjoy this show, so disappointed Holland making an appearance, typical ramming book plugs down our throat virtually as soon as he opened his mouth.
@@howardgem I find history entertaining, incessant book plugging and infomercial podcasts less so. Up til now this show has been relatively untainted. Hope they don’t go down the very worn path of getting Al Murray on next time, for me that will be a bridge too far
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Hitler and Eva Braun escaped to Argentina. Watch the docudrama film Greywolf and Mark Felton videos; Find the Fuhrer, if you don’t believe me.
My Grandad fought here, he died in 2012 aged 94. They were the greatest generation.
Great episode, both James Holland and Chris Party together in the studio. Certainly the dynamic Duo , need more of these experts together reviewing historic battles.
Excellent episode. James Holland's books are brilliant, and I'll be picking up Cassino '44. More episodes like this please!
I could listen to James explaining battles all day. Very in-depth knowledge
This freaking channel man, keep it up guys! This is like my favorite WW2 content on RUclips.
This is my new favorite channel thanks so much for the great content 🙏
Another great show guys!
Another great analysis. Thanks.
Thanks guys, fantastic show.
Excellent video!
Excellent format!
History proper at its best!
As a WW2 buff I've learned much new insights about the Italean campaign I wasn't aware of.
I always wondered why the allies didn't go island hopping and cutting Italy higher up. This shows why it played out the way it did.
Kesselrings succes cost Gerry dearly. That the allies weren't early on in the belief that the Russians would indeed succesfully push through, is new to me.
That the campaign was a whopping succes even though a lot of luck was involved is also new to me.
Great show!
James Holland is clutch
This was truly excellent, new subscriber here! Thank you!
James Holland breezes over the first and 2nd attacks when Clark was in control and was happy to sacrifice the 34th and 36th by a frontal attack. He also simplifies the 4th attack, praising the Poles when, in reality, they were part of a much larger attack than Freyberg had and it was in fact the French colonial troops who made the first break view making it easier for the Poles. As Chris Parry noted it was the addition of the whole 8th army which made the difference. It was a much larger attack.
New subscriber here - referred by Times Radio Main Channel. A great treatment of the subject and I learned much. Perhaps you should consider carrying a link to James Hollands Book.
Really amazing and Italy is not a region I have been too interest in, before now. A friends uncle fought at Anzio and survived and he has his US Army uniform in his wardrobe, I'd have though a musuem but it ain't mine.
Thank you
Yes, I see what is meant about the plugging the books.
There was no soft underbelly of Europe. For as strong a personality as Churchill was, his logic and planning left results that have had people scratching their heads in both World Wars
Before Hamburger Hill, there was the battle of Monte Cassino. How many time the monastery base on the mountaneous Monte Casino got a ton of bombs/napalm'ed dropped on it and how many time the Allies struggled to went up and got pushed back down before they finally secured it, 4 month later¿?! That was pretty similar to how US struggled in Hill 937. I'd say again, Monte Cassino isn't only the Italian version of Stalingrad but also Hamburger Hill on steroid and still make the actual battle of hamburger hill in vietnam looks like a holiday jungle trek
Great content,but James please slow down,
He's such a compelling historian but I struggle to separate that from his flashiness.
@@trickypg7184I think sometimes his overall passion and knowledge overwhelms him and he just can’t talk about enoigh in the time he’s got😂
My Father said that he fought at Monte Casino
He served in the Royal Hampshire Regiment
Were they present??
Yes they were as part of 4th infantry I believe.
What if the Abby wasn't bombed?
The only body of water more important than the Mediterranean Sea to the allies was the Atlantic, the MTO also destroyed thousands of Luthtwaffe aircraft!
I've been (a little annoyingly) thinking about this all day. Why not invade to Faggio to begin with?
I truly question James Holland's knowledge on this. Tuker acquired a book on the structure of the monastry. He was very concerned about its defensive potential and he told Freyberg he wanted it destroyed. Tuker and Freyberg were in total agreement. Harold Alexander also agreed and although Clark said he disagreed after it failed, he approved it at the time. Second, Holland says it was best that the NZ Corp were out of the battle. In 'Monte Casino: A German View', the Germans describe them as the 'Magnificient NZ Corp'. I wonder who is right, James Holland or the Germans who faced them. The fact is, as Chris Parry states, this defensive line was only going to be broken with a full attack using forces from both the 5th and 8th armies. Also note, the French colonials were trained mountain specialists, and the French made a great suggestion how they could be used earlier on but Clark ignored the French. It was notable that, in the end, they made the first breakthrough (albeit within a full-scale attack).
My dad was born in a village about 7km outside of Cassino, and they had a clear view of the monastery into the valley - been there many times to appreciate it. He watched the monastery being bombed as an 11 year old, and always said as an adult that it was madness. It made the who place so much easier to defend for the Germans as they just dug in.
Anzio always comes across as an opportunity missed by an overcautious American commander who was wary of advancing after the earlier landings in Salerno.
@@stephenvalente3296 I agree with you. By the way, I love Italy!
James Holland is a very good military historian, he walks the ground as well, in terrain, as in research. Maybe his co-host in "We have ways" is too political Big Al doesn't want to acknowledged South Africa involvement in Operation Lightfoot in 2nd Alamein. Unbelievable!
What if the Chinese Front surrendered to Japan?
What if the Beatles never broke up
What if we don't stop the dinghies/RNLI/BorderFarce-enabled invaders?
It wouldnt have made any difference
May not be any different for Overlord but Operation Dragoon
The Polish took Casino,ask these so called history experts how many British units refused to attack at Casino.
So the Benedictine monks built a monastery on the most strategic route to Rome, it gets destroyed every 100 years like clockwork, and they don’t understand? Professional victims if you ask me.
Crete again with the kiwi
Of course it does. They do better without that loser/egotist Clark mucking about looking for headlines.
I think they could lose the young presenter
lol 4 german divisions with youth and old. 130 german elite divisions in the east
"Elite"? Tell me you are sitting in Skt Petersburg without telling me you are sitting in Skt Petersburg.
Given the terrain in Italy, fighting 4 German divisions in Italy is a tougher fight than 130 divisions on the flat as a pool table Eurasian Steppe.
@@falcon642 no. Fighting Pz Divisions on the steppe is no joke. Most of those would soon be concentrated around Caen though- largest concentration of armour ever.
@@PalleRasmussen the german high command ALLWAYS regarded the eastern front as of highest priority therefore focusing almost any elite unit on that front together with over 80% of all resources.... so yes
@@PalleRasmussen that is plainly incorrect.....
Used to enjoy this show, so disappointed Holland making an appearance, typical ramming book plugs down our throat virtually as soon as he opened his mouth.
He knows his stuff though so give him his due
@@tankie163 I give Holland and his ilk nothing
He’s a lot better than Dan Snow, but I know what you mean.
Just to add, this isn’t really history it’s entertainment, if you want real history you wouldn’t be watching this trio.
@@howardgem I find history entertaining, incessant book plugging and infomercial podcasts less so. Up til now this show has been relatively untainted. Hope they don’t go down the very worn path of getting Al Murray on next time, for me that will be a bridge too far